The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has condemned the query issued to a nurse at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, over alleged comments made on social media.
The Forum described the action as an abuse of administrative power and a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Calling for an independent investigation into the conduct of the hospital’s Medical Director, the group also claimed a pattern of intimidation, victimisation and anti-union practices against healthcare workers.
A query letter dated July 20, 2026, issued by the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, and seen by this SaharaReporters, was addressed to Mrs. Mary Lally Anthony of the Nursing Services Department.
The letter, referenced was signed by Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (HR), Ishaq Abdullahi, for the Medical Director, accused the nurse of making “foul language and uncomplimentary remarks” about the hospital and its Medical Director on social media.
The hospital cited provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR), alleging that the comments amounted to making false claims against a government official and conduct unbecoming of a public officer.
It directed the nurse to explain within 24 hours why disciplinary action should not be taken against her.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, signed by its National Coordinator, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the Elegant Nurses Forum described the disciplinary action as “oppressive, intimidating and a dangerous attempt to silence workers who exercise their constitutional rights.”
According to the group, “Nigeria is governed by the Constitution, not by the personal feelings of public office holders. Every public official, regardless of rank or position, is subject to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). No administrative rule or Public Service Rule can override the Constitution.”
The Forum relied on Section 39(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of expression, arguing that the right extends to public servants.
It maintained that while public officers are expected to act responsibly, lawful criticism of government institutions or public officials does not automatically amount to misconduct.
The ENF further argued that where the Medical Director believes his personal reputation has been damaged, the appropriate remedy is to seek redress through the courts under the law of defamation rather than deploy internal disciplinary procedures to suppress criticism.
“If the Medical Director believes that any publication has damaged his personal reputation, Nigerian law already provides the appropriate legal remedy through the courts under the law of defamation. It is not the duty of a Medical Director to deploy the disciplinary machinery of government as a weapon to settle personal grievances or suppress criticism,” the statement said.
The nurses’ body also expressed concern over what it described as the monitoring of workers’ private social media activities, warning that such actions create “an atmosphere of fear and intimidation” inconsistent with democratic governance and international labour standards.
The Forum cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Labour Organization conventions protecting freedom of expression, freedom of association and workers’ rights, urging Nigerian authorities to uphold those standards.
The group also linked the latest development to what it described as previous allegations of abuse of administrative powers at the hospital.
It recalled the suspension of the Chairperson of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna Branch, alleging that the action followed the union leader’s assistance to stranded nursing students and his role in mobilising nurses during industrial actions over welfare and working conditions.
“Everyone knew that the suspension was merely an opportunity to victimise the NANNM Chairperson for his union activities, particularly his role in mobilising Nurses to embark on an industrial action demanding improved welfare, proper placement of Nurses, implementation of their legitimate entitlements and better working conditions,” the Forum alleged.
According to the ENF, the present query and the earlier suspension suggest “a growing culture of intimidation directed at workers who express opinions, defend the welfare of their colleagues or participate in legitimate trade union activities.”
The organisation further alleged that some Chief Medical Directors across federal health institutions had begun exercising disciplinary powers arbitrarily.
“The Elegant Nurses Forum is deeply concerned that some Chief Medical Directors have gradually assumed powers that the law does not confer on them. A Chief Medical Director is not above the law and cannot exercise disciplinary powers arbitrarily,” it stated.
The group demanded the immediate withdrawal of the query issued to Mrs. Anthony, an end to what it described as harassment and victimisation of healthcare workers at the hospital, and the reversal of the suspension imposed on the NANNM branch chairperson.
It also called for an independent investigation into allegations of abuse of office and anti-union practices by the Medical Director, urging the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and civil society organisations to intervene.
In addition, the Forum urged the Federal Government to direct all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal health institutions to respect workers’ constitutional and labour rights, while calling on national and international professional bodies, including the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, the International Council of Nurses, the World Health Organization and UNICEF, to engage Nigerian authorities over the treatment of nurses.
“The dignity of nurses is not negotiable. Healthcare workers dedicate their lives to serving the nation under extremely difficult conditions. They deserve respect, lawful treatment and protection, not intimidation and repression,” the statement added.
(SaharaReporters)